WEB LAZER

<p><strong>Any Block Carousel Slider</strong> is a Gutenberg carousel slider block plugin that instantly converts supported native WordPress blocks (Query Loop/Post Template, Group, Gallery) into a responsive carousel slider without adding a dedicated block or loading a JavaScript library. Simply enable the “Carousel” toggle in the Gutenberg editor: your content stays 100% native, your DOM stays lightweight, and your Lighthouse performance scores remain intact. This includes WooCommerce product listings rendered via the Query Loop/Post Template block, so you can showcase products without relying on the legacy Products block.</p>
<p>Unlike many all-in-one carousel slider blocks that require you to add a dedicated “Carousel” block and rebuild every slide, <strong>Any Block Carousel Slider</strong> hooks straight into the Gutenberg blocks you already use. The result: a Query Loop/Post Template, Group, or Gallery block can become a carousel slider in one click, without content duplication or extra maintenance.</p>
<h4>Why Any Block Carousel Slider instead of a dedicated carousel slider block?</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>WordPress loops without friction</strong> – Transform Query Loop and Post Template Gutenberg blocks into a “loop slider” without creating a block per slide.</li>
<li><strong>Familiar editorial experience</strong> – Content editors keep the Gutenberg interface they know (patterns, global styles, alignments, inner blocks).</li>
<li><strong>Zero JavaScript on the frontend</strong> – Native scroll, <code>scroll-snap</code>, GPU-friendly, no Swiper/Slick bundle to load.</li>
<li><strong>Full compatibility</strong> – Works with classic themes and block themes while respecting the structure of your Query Loop/Post Template, Group, and Gallery blocks.</li>
<li><strong>Accessibility + SEO</strong> – Keyboard navigation, respects <code>prefers-reduced-motion</code> preferences, clean DOM for crawling.</li>
</ul>
<h4>What you can do in 30 seconds</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Blog / Magazine</strong>: Display your latest posts in a Query Loop carousel with native filters and badges.</li>
<li><strong>Portfolios & testimonials</strong>: Keep your Group blocks and make them scrollable without rebuilding every slide.</li>
<li><strong>Advanced galleries</strong>: Turn the Gallery block into a responsive slider while keeping all native settings.</li>
<li><strong>Landing sections</strong>: Chain complex sections (image, title, buttons, forms) inside the same Group block and scroll them horizontally.</li>
<li><strong>WooCommerce highlights</strong>: Use a Query Loop configured for products (featured, on sale, custom taxonomy) and convert it into a CSS-only product carousel.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Quick comparison</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Activation</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – toggle an existing Gutenberg block. Classic carousel slider blocks – add a dedicated slider block and rebuild every slide.</li>
<li><strong>WordPress loop</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – works with Query Loop and Post Template blocks without duplication. Competitor carousels – require one block per slide or custom code.</li>
<li><strong>Frontend JavaScript</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – zero JavaScript, 100% CSS carousel slider. Competitor carousels – load Swiper/Slick and additional scripts.</li>
<li><strong>Performance</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – lightweight DOM, no external assets. Competitor carousels – multiply files, reflow, and downloads.</li>
<li><strong>Content maintenance</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – single Gutenberg block to update. Competitor carousels – duplicate content in dedicated slides.</li>
<li><strong>Security & upkeep</strong>: Any Block Carousel Slider – no third-party libraries to monitor. Competitor carousels – depend on external JS libraries like Swiper/Slick.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Key features</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>100% CSS</strong> – Smooth carousel slider with <code>scroll-snap</code>, <code>::scroll-button</code>, and <code>::scroll-marker</code>. No script to bundle.</li>
<li><strong>Smart responsive</strong> – Automatically handles visible columns, spacing, and control sizes according to WordPress breakpoints (1280, 1024, 782, 600, 480, 375).</li>
<li><strong>Two width modes</strong> – Manual mode (fixed column count) and Auto mode (fixed width like 320px) with automatic detection.</li>
<li><strong>Gutenberg block spacing detection</strong> – Respects <code>gap</code> and <code>padding</code> values defined in the block editor, including presets.</li>
<li><strong>Theme colors</strong> – Buttons automatically inherit your theme’s colors and radii (via CSS variables).</li>
<li><strong>Intact semantics</strong> – Your Gutenberg block’s tags and classes remain unchanged: perfect for SEO, schemas, and E2E testing.</li>
<li><strong>WooCommerce friendly</strong> – Query Loop can target the <code>product</code> post type, so WooCommerce grids become CSS-only carousels without a dedicated Products block integration.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Native Gutenberg block workflow</h4>
<ol>
<li>Add or edit one of the supported blocks (Gallery, Group, or Query Loop/Post Template).</li>
<li>Enable the <strong>Carousel</strong> option in the Gutenberg sidebar panel (Layout or Block section depending on the block).</li>
<li>Adjust your usual settings (column count, minimum width, spacing, alignment).</li>
<li>Save: your block becomes a touch-friendly, accessible, and SEO-friendly carousel slider.</li>
</ol>
<h4>Advanced customization</h4>
<ul>
<li><strong>Manual mode (fixed columns)</strong> – Ideal for article carousel sliders: 1 to 6 columns depending on screen sizes.</li>
<li><strong>Auto mode (fixed width)</strong> – Perfect for card-based sliders (posts, testimonials, product highlights) with pixel-perfect widths like 280px, 320px, or 360px.</li>
<li><strong>Padding and gaps</strong> – Automatic management via CSS vars <code>--carousel-padding-*</code>, <code>--wp--style--block-gap</code>.</li>
<li><strong>Themes & <code>theme.json</code></strong> – Override variables to align controls with your design system.</li>
<li><strong>Graceful degradation</strong> – If a browser doesn’t support <code>::scroll-button</code>, users keep touch and mouse scrolling.</li>
</ul>
<h4>Technical architecture</h4>
<ul>
<li><code>render_block</code> hook to inject variables based on context (block type, columns, gaps).</li>
<li>Dedicated service for translating labels and help messages.</li>
<li>Separate editor/frontend styles for a transparent Gutenberg experience.</li>
<li>Code organized by PSR-4 services (see <code>ARCHITECTURE.md</code> for details).</li>
</ul>
<h3>How to use the plugin</h3>
<ol>
<li>Install and activate <strong>Any Block Carousel Slider</strong> from the Plugins screen (Plugins <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> Add New <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> search <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> Install <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> Activate).</li>
<li>Open the block editor, insert one of the supported blocks (Query Loop/Post Template, Group, Gallery), and toggle the <strong>Carousel</strong> option in the sidebar.</li>
<li>Ensure the carousel-enabled block sits inside a parent Group (or similar container) so the wrapper can manage overflow, spacing, and arrow positioning properly.</li>
<li>Switch the block layout to <strong>Grid</strong> then adjust the column count to match your design.</li>
</ol>
<h3>Developer Notes</h3>
<h4>GitHub Repository</h4>
<p>Source code is available on GitHub: <a href="https://github.com/WEBLAZER/native-blocks-carousel" rel="nofollow ugc">https://github.com/WEBLAZER/native-blocks-carousel</a></p>
<h4>Contributions</h4>
<p>Contributions are welcome! You can:<br />
* Open a GitHub ticket to report a bug or suggest an improvement.<br />
* Propose a Pull Request.<br />
* Help with translation (<code>.po</code> files available in <code>languages/</code>).</p>
<h4>Available hooks</h4>
<p>The plugin uses the <code>render_block</code> hook to dynamically inject CSS variables based on the current block.</p>
<h4>Main CSS Variables</h4>
<p><strong>Layout & Spacing:</strong><br />
* <code>--wp--style--block-gap</code> – Spacing between elements (responsive).<br />
* <code>--carousel-min-width</code> – Minimum width for grids in Auto mode.<br />
* <code>--carousel-grid-item-width</code> – Item width in Manual mode.<br />
* <code>--carousel-padding-left</code>, <code>--carousel-padding-right</code>, <code>--carousel-padding-top</code>, <code>--carousel-padding-bottom</code> – Detected padding.</p>
<p><strong>Navigation buttons:</strong><br />
* <code>--carousel-button-bg</code>, <code>--carousel-button-color</code> – Colors auto-detected from theme.<br />
* <code>--carousel-button-size</code> – Button size (3rem <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> 1.75rem).<br />
* <code>--carousel-button-offset</code> – Lateral offset based on container width.<br />
* <code>--carousel-shadow</code> – Shadow applied to controls.</p>
<p><strong>Markers (dots):</strong><br />
* <code>--carousel-marker-size</code> – Marker size.<br />
* <code>--carousel-marker-gap</code> – Horizontal spacing.<br />
* <code>--carousel-marker-bottom-offset</code> – Vertical position.</p>
<p><strong>Miscellaneous:</strong><br />
* <code>--carousel-z-index</code> – Display priority (default 999999).<br />
* <code>--carousel-transition-duration</code>, <code>--carousel-transition-easing</code> – Animation smoothness.</p>
<h3>Credits</h3>
<p>Developed with ❤️ by <a href="https://weblazer.github.io/" rel="nofollow ugc">Arthur Ballan (WEBLAZER)</a></p>


Any Block Carousel Slider


As a Native Blocks Carousel user, I’m impressed by how simple it is to turn carousels into Gutenberg. It’s the only plugin I know that truly converts any Gutenberg block into a carousel without compromises, while keeping every native feature intact. The interface is intuitive, the animation and navigation options are comprehensive, and the result stays fully responsive. Performance is excellent, and it adapts smoothly to any theme. Special mention for the clear documentation and translation support, which make multilingual setups a breeze. Kudos for this plugin—it delivers exactly what WordPress developers need: a native, clean, lightweight carousel solution.


Turn Any Gutenberg Block into a Carousel Effortlessly

Gutenberg carousel slider block: transform any WordPress block into a responsive carousel with pure CSS. Zero JavaScript.

Virgildia

<p>A responsive modern carousel slider for the Gutenberg block editor that lets you add any blocks to your slides.</p>
<p>🚀 <strong>Carousel Slider Version 2 is here!</strong> Now powered by <strong>Swiper.js</strong> for a smoother, faster, and more modern experience. See below for update instructions.</p>
<h4>Features</h4>
<ul>
<li>Add unlimited slides</li>
<li>Add any blocks to the slides</li>
<li>Preview the carousel in the editor</li>
<li>Responsive and touch enabled</li>
</ul>
<h4>Settings</h4>
<ul>
<li>Slides per view</li>
<li>Slides to scroll at a time</li>
<li>Slide speed</li>
<li>Slide padding</li>
<li>Prev/next arrows</li>
<li>Dots navigation</li>
<li>Infinite loop sliding</li>
<li>Autoplay</li>
<li>Responsive settings: slides to show and scroll at given screen size</li>
<li>RTL</li>
</ul>
<h3>Requirements</h3>
<p>PHP 5.6+ is recommended, WordPress 5.8+, with Gutenberg active.</p>
<h3>Documentation</h3>
<p>Select the Carousel Slider block from the Design category. Click the + button located at the end of the carousel to add slides. Add any block within the slides. Use the horizontal scrollbar to preview the slides in the editor.</p>
<p>You can reorder the slides by using the left and right arrow buttons in the toolbar.</p>
<p>To remove a slide, select the slide and click the three dots right above it. Click the option to remove that slide.</p>
<p>Click the Carousel Block (the block nesting all the slides) to show the carousel settings.</p>
<h3>Carousel Slider Version 2</h3>
<p>Carousel Slider v2 now uses Swiper.js instead of Slick. It’s more modern, better supported, and works smoother across devices.</p>
<h4>Upgrading from Legacy Carousel</h4>
<ul>
<li>Existing legacy (v1) Carousel Slider blocks will still work. You can re-enable them in the admin settings under <strong>Settings <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> Carousel Slider</strong>.</li>
<li>To upgrade, click on a legacy Carousel Slider block in the editor. In the block’s toolbar (the floating bar that appears above the block), click the <strong>block icon (first button on the left)</strong>. From the dropdown, choose <strong>“Transform to Carousel Slider v2”</strong>. Your existing carousel settings will be preserved, but note that the design and HTML markup will change.</li>
<li>Legacy styles will not apply to v2. You may need to adjust custom CSS. </li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Optional: Re-enable Legacy Blocks</strong></p>
<p>You can show/hide legacy blocks from the block inserter and disable v2 upgrade notices via <strong>Settings <span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-exclude-emoji">→</span> Carousel Slider</strong> in the admin menu.</p>
<p><strong>Note</strong>: Legacy blocks will continue to function, but are no longer supported. It is highly recommended to upgrade to v2 for continued improvements and compatibility.</p>
<h4>Customizing v2 Styles</h4>
<p>Carousel Slider v2 supports custom styling via CSS variables:</p>
<h3>Navigation</h3>
<ul>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-size</code>: Arrow icon size  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-sides-offset</code>: Distance from edge  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-color</code>: Arrow color  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-hover-color</code>: Arrow hover color (falls back to <code>navigation-color</code>)  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--navigation-alignfull-color</code>: Arrow color when carousel is full width  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Pagination (dots)</h3>
<ul>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-top</code>: Top offset  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bottom</code>: Bottom offset  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-size</code>: Bullet size  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-active-color</code>: Active bullet color  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-inactive-color</code>: Inactive bullet color  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-inactive-hover-color</code>: Inactive bullet hover color (falls back to <code>active-color</code> if set)  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-active-opacity</code>: Active bullet opacity  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-inactive-opacity</code>: Inactive bullet opacity  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-inactive-hover-opacity</code>: Inactive bullet opacity on hover (falls back to <code>inactive-opacity</code> if not set)  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-horizontal-gap</code>: Space between bullets (horizontal)  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--pagination-bullet-vertical-gap</code>: Space between bullets (vertical)  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Block Spacing</h3>
<ul>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--image-margin-top</code>: Top margin for image blocks  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--image-margin-bottom</code>: Bottom margin for image blocks  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--cover-margin-top</code>: Top margin for cover blocks  </li>
<li><code>--wp--custom--carousel-block--cover-margin-bottom</code>: Bottom margin for cover blocks  </li>
</ul>
<h3>Theme JSON Support</h3>
<p>All the CSS variables can also be defined directly inside your theme’s <code>theme.json</code> under the <code>settings.custom</code> key.</p>
<p>For example:</p>
<pre><code>{
  "settings": {
    "custom": {
      "carousel-block": {
        "navigation-size": "22px",
        "navigation-color": "#000",
        "pagination-bullet-active-color": "#000"
      }
    }
  }
}
</code></pre>


Carousel Slider Block for Gutenberg

Finally a slider/carousel block that doesn't try too hard and is still easy and fun to use. It just needs a few additional sidebar settings (like slide gap and maybe custom icons for the prev/next navigation) and it would be perfect.

Thanks, i know i will be using this plugin A LOT in future projects - and for that it has definitely earned a full 5 star rating!

Almost perfect!

I tried several plugins and this one it's just perfect! Easy to use <3

Very simple and easy-to-use


I'm kind of an "old school" developer who is being dragged kicking and screaming into the world of the Block Editor (Gutenberg). One of my "old school" ideas is only using plugins for massive functionality (think WooCommerce, The Events Calendar, Gravity Forms), and not for things I can easily build myself. (Kind of ironic, since I've also developed a handful of plugins myself that don't follow that rule.)



Well… a week of fumbling around proved that at least in the new Gutenberg world, this is not something I can build myself, but I was still averse to using a plugin because in most of my past experience, using plugins with a narrow focus like this is that they a) aren't narrowly focused enough (trying to do too much), or b) they get in the way with too much of their own non-standard, over-designed interface elements.



I can safely say this plugin does not do any of that. It feels like it's a core part of Gutenberg… which it should be. I especially love (LOVE!) the fact that you can put any blocks into the carousel. That's exactly what I wanted/needed. The design is simple, intuitive, and unobtrusive.



I also really like the fact that in the Block Editor itself, the carousel is just a simple horizontal scrolling block. Very clever way to handle making the content editable and still feel fairly WYSIWYG, vs. trying to actually replicate the carousel functionality somehow on the back end.



The only problem I ran into was that the previous/next arrows and dot nav were rendering weirdly, but that was my own fault — some of my custom CSS was interfering. Once I adjusted that, everything is perfect.



If you're a long-time WordPress theme developer like I am, and you're resistant to Gutenberg, haven't learned React, and also are reluctant to start embracing more plugins… don't be afraid of this one! I just wish I had found this plugin sooner.


Excellent plugin for putting ANY blocks into a carousel


It is missing several basic Slick settings, though, like fade, centerMode, adaptiveHeight, variableWidth…


Nice and minimal

Thank you for a great little plugin.  It handles slides really well and the block settings are intuitive and allows for a lot of style variations and layouts.

I have a few ideas on how to further improve it.  Is is on GitHub?  I'd like to do a PR to contribute some code.

Some ideas for improvement:

- allow the slides to pause on mouse hover over the arrows or pagination dots.
- enable custom navigation by allowing a custom element with the right css to listen for click events.

Lovely little plugin

A responsive modern carousel slider for the Gutenberg block editor that lets you add any blocks to your slides.

Any Block Carousel Slider vs Carousel Slider Block for Gutenberg